Girdle and resilient support



March 31, 1953 H, M, HERBENER 2,632,891

GIRDLE AND RESILIENT I SUPPORT- 3 Sheets-Sheet l March. 31, 1953 H. M. HERBENER -2,632,891

GIRDLE AND RESILIENTTSUPPGRT Filed oct. '5, 195o s sheets-'sheet 2 1N VENTOR Henry/W. Herbezcel ATTORNEY INVENTOR ATTORNEY 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Henry/W. Halsema". BY 5612/ H M HERBENER GI-RDLE ANUy RESILIENT SUPPORT FL'CJI.

Marh 31, 1953 Filed Oct. 5, 1950 Patented Mar. 31,1953 r UNITED .S TAT ES Y PAT ENT OFFICE GIRDLE AND 4RESILIIlTT SUPPORT `Henry M. Herbener, Thomasville, Ga. Application caterers, 195o, semina. 188,580

14 Claims.

invention relates to girdlesor like` garments and to resilient `means for supporting a portion of .the .garment or holding vthe same 4in proper place yupon the user. Y

Animportant object of the invention is tozpro` vide resilient means which will properly support the upper portion `of `the girdle, Vwill `.retain such upper .portion close to the'body of the wearer and hasla high degree fof lateral flexing action to permit of ithe'bending or stoopingof the bodyladjafcent .tothe Waistline without discomfort `to the user.

`n furtherobjectfoftheinvention is to provide a resilientsupporting element which is light, simpleinconstruction, durable vand will promote the comfort of ,the wearer.

A further object `of the invention is to provide a supporting element of the .above-mentioned character which has a resilient compressioniaction;against downwardmovementnand atorsional 'ci this application and in which like numerals are employed `to designate like parts throughout same,

f Figure l is a front perspective view .of a v"gaie ment embodying myinvention, showing the same in use Figure v2 `is a side elevation vof the garment yi use, showing the body in the forward bent position, and illustrating the bending action of the resilient supporting element adjacent to rthe Waistline, Figure 3 is azfront ,elevation of the front panel, a .portion of the same being removed and the front layer of the pocket being removed, for the purposeof illustration,

:Figure 4a. is an enlarged vertical section taken on line lla- 4a ofFigure 3,

Figure 4 .is an enlarged side elevation of the resilient supporting element, parts broken away, Figureb is a transverse section taken on line 5--5 of Figure 4,

Figure 6 is similar kView taken on line elastic ygirdle as a Whole, comprising `'sides `2 I` `and a back 22, preferably `formed integral (and :made from an elastic fabric having .'a horizontal and vertical stretch. Attached to theltop of thesides 2l and. `back 22 is a horizontal elastic lband 23, having short vertical :stiffening ribs 24. This band may be of the same construction as shown in `my Patent 2,136,742. The waistband 23 is securedto the sidesand back by ahorizontalfziga zag line of stitching 25. The girdle further comey prises a front panel 26 which .is preferably vertr- -cally elastic and horizontally non-.elastic and secured tothe sides 2l by verticaltzigzag lines of stitching 21. The panel 26 :is preferablyproe. vided at its bottom edge with an upwardly tapered insert or gore 28, secured thereto by -a zig-Zag line of stitching 29. This gore `is'preferably horizon' tally 'and vertically elastic. Arranged upon the inner Aface of the 'front panel `2li is a pocket 30,

including an inner side 3l and an outer side F32. These `sides included in the pocket aresecured'to the panel 2.6 4by the `lines of stitching 21. The pocket is made from a single 4section of nonelastic fabric Which is folded upon itself, forming a top rounded vedge .33 and the pocket isorigi-f nally open at its bottom and is closed Vby a horizontal line of stitching 34. The pocket is secured` tothe front panel '26 at its closed `upper :end 'by a horizontal line of ystitching 35 which extends through the `inner side 3| only. '-Ihe pocket eX'- tends from the top edge of the .front panel 26 and preferably terminates near the longitudinal center of the front panel, although this point of termination may vary.

` An upstanding resilient supporting element 36 is held within the pocket `30 and .is in the .form of a hoop or loop. This hoop includes an upper hoop section or loop k3'! and a lower hoop section or loop `33, which are formed separate. These hoopA sections are formed from spring steel and' are ycoated so that they will notrust. `The upper 'snm fend m 3 hoop section 31 has generally horizontal lower portions 39, carrying downwardly projecting extensions 40. The lower hoop portion 38 has upper generally horizontal portions 4|, carrying upstanding extensions 42. The extensions 42 are arranged inwardly of the extensions 40.

The numeral 43 designates a reinforcing or coupling element, including a metal plate 44. This plate has its upper and lower edges bent or formed inwardly to provide flanges 45, 49 and 41 separated by slits 48. The flanges 45 and 45 are spaced from the plate 44 and are parallel therewith, while the flanges 41 are bent inwardly to substantially contact with the plate 44 and provide closed sleeves 41. The horizontal portions 39 of the upper hoop portion 31 extend behind flanges 45 and also extend through the sleeves tion 31 swings forwardly and there is a resilient 41', while the extensions ,40 project transversely across the plate 44 and pass behind the flanges 46. The horizontal portions 4| of the lower hoop section extend behind the lower flanges 45 and through the lower sleeves 41' and their extensions 42 project upwardly across the plate 44 and the free ends of these extensions are arranged behind the upper flange 46. The extensions 49 are disposed outwardly of the extensions 42 and the extensions 49 are connected by a coupling 49, so that the horizontal portions 39 cannot move from each other. The coupling 49 has its body portion arranged within an opening 50 formed in the plate 44, so that the coupling does not project beyond the face of the plate or its flanges, thereby providing a thin construction. Further, by arranging the coupling within the opening 50, the coupling cannot move for any considerable distance horizontally with relation to the plate 44. Since the extensions 42 are arranged inwardly of the extensions 4B, it is thus seen that the extensions 40 hold the horizontal portions 4| against horizontal movement in an outward direction.

It is thus seen that a resilient hoop isprovided, including upper and lower hoop sections connected by horizontal U-shaped torsional spring portions including the horizontal portions 39 and 4| and their extensions'.

.A hoop 38'y Vmay be arranged within the lower hoop section and held in place by a line of stitching 39', but this hoop and line of stitching may be omitted.

The hoop is placed within the pocket 30 and the upper hoop portion 31 preferably has substantially the same vertical dimension as the band 23. The hoop section 38 may be larger than the hoop flanges 45 and 41.

section 31. The U'shaped connecting portions between the upper and lower hoop sections including horizontal portions 39 and 4|, and the coupling or reinforcing element 43, are arranged substantially at the line of bending or stooping of the wearer, indicated at B, and these U- shaped connecting portions are beneath and adjacent to the bottom edge of the band 23.

The upperloop section 31 is held centered by lines of stitching 5| disposed inwardly of the same, while the lower loop section 38 is held centered by lines of stitching 52 disposed inwardly of the same. At its bottom, the lower loop section 38 bears against a line of stitching 53, while the upper loop section 31, at its top, bears against the top folded edge ofthe pocket 38. A horizontal line of stitching 54 passing through layers 3| and 32 only is preferably arranged near and beneath the top of the upper hoop section 31. When the hoop is placed in position within the pocket and bears against the stitching 53 and top edge of the picket, the hoop is under compression so that torsional action produced in the horizontal portions 39, which can turn in their flanges. The extensions 40 which engage the plate 44 oppose `the torsional action and the continued forward swinging movement of the hoop section 31 will swing the plate 44 forwardly. The plate 44 turns upon the horizontal portions 4| which are pivoted within'the flanges, and this forward swinging movement of the plate 44 is opposed by the extensions 42, and these extensions 42 producea resilient torsional action in the horizontal portions 4|. It is possible to swing the hoop extension 31 toward the hoop section 38 until the free ends of these hoop sections meet, without liability of the resilient element being broken. It is thus seen that the horizontal portions 39 and 4| of the upper and lower hoop sections have the torsional action when the upper hoop section is swung downwardly, and the plate 44 remains parallel or flat with the body' during the downward swinging movement of the'hoop section 31, thus avoiding discomfort to the user. It is thus seen that the resilient element provides the maximum bending at the point of the body where the maximum bending of the body occurs.

In Figure 13, a modified form of resilient hoop is shown. This hoop includes upper and lower hoop setcions 31 and 38 formed from a single section of spring steel wire, the ends of which are securedtogether at the top by a coupling 55. The hoop sections 31 and 38 are connected by inwardly facing horizontal U-shaped torsional spring portions 56, including horizontal portions 51 and 58. The horizontal portions 51 are held within the upper flanges 45 and 41, while the hori-` zontal portions 58 are held within the lower The ends 59 of the U-shaped portions 56 form vertical extensions contacting with the face of the plate 44, engaged behind the flanges 46, and these ends are connected by a coupling 59. The sides or portions 51 and 58 are connected by the flanges which retain the portions 51 and 58 parallel. All other parts remain identical with those shown and described in connection with the first form of the invention.' It is apparent that I have provided a construction which eliminates sharp bending of the spring steel wire, which would tend to cause the same to break in use.

- In connection with the second form of the' invention, the upper and lower hoop sections 31 and 38 are vertically resilient and hence may be vertically compressed to permit of slight ver; tical adjustments of the front panel. When the upper hoop section 31 is bent forwardly, a tor' sional action is applied to the horizontal portions 51 and the plate 44 of the coupling 43 is swung forwardly, as explained in connection with the first form of the invention, and a resilient torsional action is applied to the horizontal portions 51 and 58. t is thus seen that the U-shaped portions 56v provide along construction to receive the resilient torsional action, and this torsional.

l action being distributed over a" considerable length of wire, the tendency to break the wire dueto excessive local bending, is eliminated, land the 'supporting element will have a long life.

t is preferred to use the separate hoop sections S'l-and-i, Figure l of the drawings, as this renders it easier to bend the-spring steel wire forming the same which can then be made 4in a shorter length. However, satisfactory results are -ob-' tainable 'by' forming the Ahoop sections from separate spring steelwire sections or `from a single section of the wire.

' InV Figure ll, I have shown a further `rnodiiication of the invention, wherein the hoop 'including the "hoopsections 3l and 38.r vand U- shaped portions 56, Figure 11, are employed. The ends-59 ofthe L1-shaped fportions '56, Figure (l1, arev connected by the Acouplir-ig 59". i `The lnorlV z'ontalportions 51 and *58 are connected by couplings Ell-which are arranged near theouter ends of rthe portions 5l and 5B, and retain them parallel; The coupling 43 including the plate is omitted in the third form ofthe invention, but used inthe nrst two forms of the invention. vAll other parts remain identical with those shown in connection with Athe `nrst form ofthe invention.

The resilient hoop shown in Figure 11 is held within the `pocket 30, as described in connection with the first and second forms of the invention. The Lsaine mode of actionis present, and when the upper hoop 'section 31"is swung Lfor.- wardly, anda resilient torsional action is applied to the horizontal portions `51 and 58.

It is tol be understood that the forms of my invention are'to'be taken as preferred examples of rthe same and that various changes in the shape, size, and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without .departing `from the spirit of my invention or the scope of the subjoined claims.

`Having thus described my invention, what `I claim Sis:

l. A resilient ,supporting element to 'be applied to v.a .garment for holding the 'same in V,position uponthe user, comprising superposed upper and lower hoop sections and rsubstantially horizontal resilient U-shaped torsional portions connecting the 'hoop sections, 'the .U-shaped portions including upper and lower members, the 'upper menibers forming the 4bottom of the upper hoop section and the .lower members forming the top of the lower hoop section, a coupling connecting the inner ends of the V`lJ-shaped portions, and couplingsconnecting the upper and lower members 'of the U-shaped portions vand spaced `from,

the inner ends of the U-shaped portions.

2. A resilient supporting element to be applied to a garment for holding the same in position upon the user,vcomprising superposed upper and lower hoops and substantially horizontal resilient U-shaped torsional portions connecting the hoops, the. A.1J-shaped portions including upper and lower members .thc upper members forming the bottomfof the upper ,hoop .and the lower .members forming the Vtop .of the lower hoop, and a plate rdisposed upon ...one side of the U-shaped portions and havinglmeans for holding the upper and` lower members.

3. A resilient supporting elementv to be applied to a garment-for holding the same in position upon the user, comprising superposed upper and lower hoops and substantially horizontal resili- 'ent U-shaped torsional portions connecting the hoops, the U-shaped torsional portions including upper and lower members and transverse portions, the upper members forming the bottom f6 of the :upper hoop fand the lower .members `forms ing the top of the lower hoop, saidjhoops being vertically resilient in use, a .plate disposed upon one side of the U-shaped portions and havinl.r anges `formed thereon forming means :forjhold-f ing the-upper and lower .membersthe transverse Vportions engaging the yplate. 4. A resilientsupporting-element to beapplied to a garment for holding the `same `in posit-ion upon the user, comprising separate upper and lower hoop sections, including generally horizontal resilient torsional members, the torsional members forming the `bottom of the upperhoop section and the `topi of the lower -hoop section, the torsional members of the upperhoopse tion having extensions projecting v{'iow'nw'ardrly andthe torsional members of thelower-hoop section `having extensions proecting upwardly, the downwardly projecting extensions being separate from the upwardly projecting extensions, andar Vplate arranged upon lone side 'of the generally horizontal torsional members and having holdingV means'for receiving-such members, the extensions being arranged lto engage the iface of the plate.

5. A resilient supporting element to be applied to a garment for holding the same in position upon the user, comprising upper and lowerheop sections `including generally horizontal torsional members and generally-vertical Aparts connecting the torsional members Vand Qformed integral 'there-f with, and a plate arranged upon one sideofthe generally horizontal torsional `members and having holding means for `receiving the members, said parts' engaging the face ofthe plate. g

6. Agirdle or like garment comprising anexible body portiOn, `a handhaving transverse vstiff-fening ribs secured to the top of the body portion and having Vits forward ends `spaced at theiront of the body portion, and avertically resilient supporting element including .superposed upper and lower hoop sections and generally U-shaped to-r sional members connecting the upper and lower hoop sections said hoop sections being vertically resilient ,in use, the upper hoop sectionv having its bottom terminating substantiaily `at the elevation of the bottom of the band, and means for securing the hoop sections inl position'upon the front portion of the garment.

7. A girdle `or like garment comprising a flex# ible `body portion, band means having transverse stiffen'ing ribs secured to tht upper portion of the body portion .and having its forward @nds spaced Vat the front of the body portion. .and

a vertically resilient supporting element including superposed upper and lower hoop sections and substantially horizontal generally '1J shaped torsional members connecting the upper and lower hoop sections said hooplsections being' ver-V tically resilient ,in use, the upper hoop section extending between the forward ends of the band means and serving to vsupport the iront portion of the garment, `the U-shaped members being arranged rat `substantially the elevation of the maximum bending portion .of the waist, and means for securing the hoop sections in position upon the front portion of the garment.

8. A girdle or like garment comprising a flexible body portion, and a vertically resilient support.

i7 ient 'in use, the generallyxU-shaped members being arranged substantially at the elevation of the maximum bending portion of the Waist, and means for securing the hoop sections in position upon the body portion of the garment. 9. A girdle or like garment comprising a flexible body portion and flexible front panel secured to the body portion, elastic band means secured to the top of the body portion and front panel and having short upstanding stiiening ribs, the band means terminating substantially at the front panel, means forming a pocket upon the front panel, a vertically resilient supporting element mounted within the pocket and including superposed upper and lower hoops and substantially horizontal torsionalmembers connecting the hoops, the upper hoop serving to support the top of the front panel, the torsional members being arranged substantially at the elevation of the maximum bending portion of the waist, and means for holding the upper and lower hoop sections in place within the pocket and permitting the opposite sides of each hoop section to spread when the hoop section is compressed said hoop sections being verticallyresilient in use.

, 10. A girdle or like garment comprising a fiexible body portion having an upper end which is depressed by the movement of the wearer, resilient supporting means to oppose the downward movement of the upper end, said resilient supporting means vincluding superposed upper and lower frame sections, said frame sections being resilient in use, each frame section including sides, the upper frame section including a top and the lower frame section including a bottom generally U-shaped substantially horizontal resilient tortionalmembers, said'tortional members including upper and lower sides, said upper sides forming the bottom of the upper resilient frame section and said lower sides forming the top of the lower resilient frame section, said frame sections being vertically resilient when compressed, said tortional members `connecting frame sections, and means for slidably mounting the sides of each frame section upon the body portion for outward movement in a generally horizontal direction, the arrangement being such that each frame section may be vertically compressed.

11. A girdle or like garment comprising a flexible body portion having an upper end which is depressed by the movement of the wearer, upstanding resilient means to oppose the downward y movement of the upper end, said resilient means including superposed upper and lower frame sections, said frame sections being resilient in use, resilient tortional means connecting the bottoml of the upper frame section with the top of.

the lower frame section, the resilient tortional means being arranged near the elevation of that portion of the wearer having the maximum stooping action, and means for slidably mounting the sides of each frame section upon the body portion for outward movement in a generally horizontal direction, the arrangement being such that each frame section may be vertically compressed.

12. A girdle or like garment comprising a nexible body portion having an upper end which is depressed by the movement of the wearer, up-

standing resilient supporting 'means to oppose the downward movement of the upper end, said resilient supporting means including superposed upper and lower frame sections, said frame sections being resilient in use each frame section including sides, tortional means connecting the sides of the upper frame section and the sides of the lower frame section, and means to mount the frame sections upon the body portion so that at least one side of the upper frame section may move outwardly when the upper frame section is vertically compressed.

13. A girdle or like garment comprising a flexible body portion having an upper end which is depressed by the movement of the wearer, a pocket formed upon the body portion and extending adjacent to the upper end, upstanding resilient supporting means mounted Within the pocket, said'resilient means comprising superposed upper and lower frame sections, said frame sections being vertically resilient in use each frame section including sides, the pocket eX- tending horizontally beyond the sides of each frame section and having slidable engagement with such sides so that such sides may move outwardly when the frame section is vertically compressed, means for retaining each frame section in place within the pocket without disturbing the outward movement of the sides of such frame section, and resilient tortional means connecting the sides of the upper frame section with the sides of the lower frame section.

14. A girdle or like garment comprising a flexible body portion having an upper end which is depressed by the movement of the wearer, a pocket formed upon the body portion and extending adjacent to the upper end, ,resilient means arranged within the pocket to oppose the downward movement of such upper end, said resilient means including an upper frame section and a lower frame section, said frame sections being vertically resilient in use, each frame section including sides and being horizontally shorter than the pocket, the sides of each frame section being free from attachment with the pocket which would prevent such sides moving outwardly when vertically compressed, and resilientl tortional means connecting the sides of the,

upper resilient frame section with the sides ofv the lower resilient frame section.

HENRY M. HERBEN'ER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 319,404 Gorton June 2, 1885v 985,124 Barnes Feb. 28, 1911 y 1,112,105 Wolfi Sept. 29, 1914 2,489,388 Rubin Nov. 29, 1949 2,501,899 Herbener Mar. 28, 1950 2,501,901 Herbener Mar. 28, 1950 2,513,034 Lindsay June 27, 1950 2,520,009 Kramer Aug. 22, 1950 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 473,623 France Oct. 3, 1914 

